Albany Public Libraryhttp://www.albanypubliclibrary.org
Just another WordPress siteWed, 29 Jul 2015 20:31:19 +0000en-UShourly1Summer Staff Pickshttp://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/summer-staff-picks/
http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/summer-staff-picks/#commentsWed, 29 Jul 2015 15:24:45 +0000http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/?p=1090Summer is such a busy season, especially when you live in upstate New York and you are trying to fit in every possible outdoor activity you can while you have the chance. Here at APL, we spend our summer encouraging kids and teens to read, and of course, trying to find time to devote to... Read more »

]]>Summer is such a busy season, especially when you live in upstate New York and you are trying to fit in every possible outdoor activity you can while you have the chance. Here at APL, we spend our summer encouraging kids and teens to read, and of course, trying to find time to devote to our own reading pleasure as well. I recently read Ana of California by Andi Teran, a modern twist on the classic novel Anne of Green Gables. Ana, a fifteen-year-old, last-chance foster kid from L.A., is sent to work at the Garber’s organic farm in northern California where she meets a charming cast of characters, including the only other kid in town who’s heard of and loves her favorite all-girl punk band. As the chapters unfold, you witness Ana letting down her guard as she figures out how to build trust and create a family. If you are looking for a summer read you can share with a teen, this engaging coming-of-age story will do the trick.

We asked our staff to recommend books for adults, kids, and teens, and (no surprise here) they came up with some great suggestions. Our Youth Services Librarian at our Pine Hills Branch (recently named the Best Public Library by Metroland) loved Strong Female Protagonist by Brennan Lee Mulligan. Keeping up with our summer reading theme, “Heroes Read,” this YA graphic novel is about a “retired” superhero who is just trying to live the life of a normal college student when her nemesis appears on campus. Our Head of Adult Services at our Washington Avenue Branch read Girl in a Band by legendary Sonic Youth bass player Kim Gordon, and found it to be “mesmerizing, intelligent, and melancholy,” and just as well-written as Patti Smith’s Just Kids. If you’re looking for something your younger readers will enjoy, our Youth Services Librarian at our Delaware Branch recommends Listen, Slowly by Thanhhà Lai. This “poignant, funny” chapter book tells the tale of what happens when twelve-year-old Mai has to spend her summer vacation in Vietnam, away from her American friends and (gasp!) her phone and the Internet. All you sports fans out there who are immersing yourself in baseball season will love our Executive Director’s pick, The Bad Guys Won by Jeff Pearlman, “an insightful look into the 1986 Mets, one of the greatest teams to take the field.”

Check out all our staff picks for more great summer reads. What are you reading this summer? Tweet us–we wanna know!

]]>http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/summer-staff-picks/feed/0Stories & Art in the Parkshttp://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/stories-art-in-the-parks/
http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/stories-art-in-the-parks/#commentsTue, 30 Jun 2015 19:00:16 +0000http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/?p=1023We had such a great time venturing out of the library and into Washington Park for story time yesterday! Did you miss it? Don’t worry–we’re doing it again every Monday this summer. APL is partnering with the City of Albany’s Department of Recreation and Albany Barn for a six-week series of story times and art... Read more »

We had such a great time venturing out of the library and into Washington Park for story time yesterday! Did you miss it? Don’t worry–we’re doing it again every Monday this summer.

APL is partnering with the City of Albany’s Department of Recreation and Albany Barn for a six-week series of story times and art activities in our city’s beautiful parks. APL librarians will read stories and sing songs, followed by fun arts-and-crafts activities provided by the Dept. of Rec. and the Albany Barn. We will also welcome special guest WMHT as they bring their PBS KIDS program on select dates.

Stories & Art in the Parks is an early literacy component of our annual Summer Reading Program, and it’s for kids ages 2-5. Park story times last about an hour, and we will have shade and tables available. If it rains, we’ll meet at the nearest APL neighborhood branch. Here’s the schedule:

]]>http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/stories-art-in-the-parks/feed/0Summer Reading Fun Starts Now!http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/summer-reading-fun-starts-now/
http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/summer-reading-fun-starts-now/#commentsFri, 26 Jun 2015 13:31:29 +0000http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/?p=1007 School is out and summer reading is in at Albany Public Library! Starting Saturday, June 27, through Saturday, Aug. 22, APL encourages reading by providing prizes and special activities to keep kids and teens engaged and entertained during those long summer months away from school. Participants register and record their reading in person at... Read more »

Starting Saturday, June 27, through Saturday, Aug. 22, APL encourages reading by providing prizes and special activities to keep kids and teens engaged and entertained during those long summer months away from school.

Participants register and record their reading in person at any of Albany Public Library’s branches. This year’s summer reading theme is “every hero has a story,” so many activities highlight heroes of all types, from comic book heroes like Baymax and Captain America to neighborhood heroes like police officers and firefighters. The 2015 APL Summer Reading Program is sponsored by the Friends of Albany Public Library, Price Chopper, and Stewart’s Shops.

More than 125 special activities and events are scheduled during the eight-week program, in addition to more than 100 regular weekly story times and game programs. Kids can stop by their neighborhood Albany library to:

Explore the world of superheroes with superhero training academy, superhero capes and masks, comic book workshops, and blockbuster movies

Meet community heroes including K-9 officers, firefighters, and mounted police

Create and sample yummy snacks made from chocolate, fruits and veggies, lollipops, and pizza

Make art using chalk, beads, paper, duct tape, yarn, and tie-dye

Participate in games and building challenges using robots, LEGOs, Post-Its, and Strawbees

Here are just a few notable summer reading activities coming up at Albany Public Library, which are all free and open to the public. Check out the summer reading guide or our online calendar for complete listings.

Kickoff Parties on June 27 (Sat) at 1-3 pm at All Branches

Enjoy ice cream treats, do fun activities, and sign up for the Summer Reading Program. Everyone who signs up for summer reading on June 27 gets a raffle ticket and chance to win a bike from the Albany County District Attorney’s WORDS campaign.

SummerFest Outdoor Party on July 11 (Sat) at 1-3 pm at Delaware Branch

This family festival features bounce house activity centers, magic, games and prizes, and snacks for kids and their families.

(Note: ONLY the Delaware and Washington Ave. branches are open on July 11.)

Superhero Training Camp

Make a superhero costume and test your ability to make it through a maze of lasers, smash through a wall of bricks, and other superhero feats.

]]>http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/summer-reading-fun-starts-now/feed/0Albany History Race Wins Awardhttp://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/albany-history-race-wins-award/
http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/albany-history-race-wins-award/#commentsThu, 11 Jun 2015 18:49:13 +0000http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/?p=994Way to go team APL! We were honored to receive the 2014 Upper Hudson Library System Adult Program of the Year Award for the “Albany History Race” program at a ceremony on June 10. “Albany History Race” was a one-day team competition involving quick visits to many historic buildings and sites in the city of... Read more »

]]>Way to go team APL! We were honored to receive the 2014 Upper Hudson Library System Adult Program of the Year Award for the “Albany History Race” program at a ceremony on June 10.

“Albany History Race” was a one-day team competition involving quick visits to many historic buildings and sites in the city of Albany that took place last November. The goal of the program was to introduce people to the library’s local history collection in a fun and social way, by joining a scavenger hunt with the popular television show “The Amazing Race.”

“Local History Librarian Jim Davies combined an old-fashioned scavenger hunt with intriguing pieces of history into an entertaining and immersive program for adults,” said our executive director, Scott Jarzombek.

“The ‘Albany History Race’ not only led participants to many noteworthy sites around Albany, but it also utilized dozens of historic photographs, maps, and books from the library’s collection. The very modern addition of live event coverage on the library’s social media platforms, provided by eLibrarian Deanna DiCarlo, brought the program into the hands of those watching from the sidelines,” Jarzombek said.

The program was recognized for strengthening APL’s reputation as a curator of local history, forging relationships with local businesses, delighting passionate history buffs, and engaging library followers.

During the race, teams used mission clues, based on items from the library’s collection, to identify and drive to 12 spots around Albany. The teams documented their visits to the clue locations with digital photos. The top three teams received bragging rights and prizes. Armchair racers followed the teams’ progress via the library’s Twitter and Instagram feeds.

The second annual “Albany History Race” is set for Saturday, Sept. 26, and will feature a dozen new historic locations. For more information, please email localhistory@albanypubliclibrary.org.

]]>http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/albany-history-race-wins-award/feed/0WEXT @ APLhttp://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/wext-apl/
http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/wext-apl/#commentsSat, 06 Jun 2015 03:27:47 +0000http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/?p=949Did you ever want to hear yourself on the radio? Did you used to play DJ and announce songs for your friends? On two occasions, local independent radio station 97.7 WEXT visited the library and gave kids and teens the chance to do just that! WEXT DJ Chris Wienk came into the Youth Services room... Read more »

]]>Did you ever want to hear yourself on the radio? Did you used to play DJ and announce songs for your friends? On two occasions, local independent radio station 97.7 WEXT visited the library and gave kids and teens the chance to do just that!

WEXT DJ Chris Wienk came into the Youth Services room of the Washington Avenue Branch and recorded two episodes of its weekly children’s show, The Peanut Butter Jam. Kids and teens recorded segments as DJs, announcing upcoming songs and voicing other segments. Working from scripts brought in by Wienk, these DJs-in-training were given a taste of what it’s like to be a real DJ, using a professional mic and headphones and practicing their deliveries through multiple takes. And now, you can hear the final results!

Both shows are scheduled to air on WEXT, and we have a listening booth set up in the Washington Ave Youth Services room where folks can get a sneak preview of each show before the broadcast. We have a CD of each show and our booth has two pairs of headphones for shared listening. People can come hear themselves or their friends and family members, and listen to how their parts were edited into an hour long show. The booth will be set up for the rest of this week and all of next week.

The first show airs this Saturday (June 6th) at 9 am on WEXT (97.7 FM). The second show goes live next Saturday (June 13th), also at 9am. In addition, you can listen online or via WEXT’s mobile app.

]]>http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/wext-apl/feed/0Friends of APL Host Weekly Book Talkshttp://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/friends-of-apl-host-weekly-book-talks/
http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/friends-of-apl-host-weekly-book-talks/#commentsTue, 02 Jun 2015 12:53:44 +0000http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/?p=937Got a free hour at lunch time on Tuesdays? Head on over to the Washington Ave. Branch and participate in the lively and engaging book talks hosted by the Friends of Albany Public Library! The weekly book talks include reviews of timely and classic works, as well as author talks and special programs. The book... Read more »

]]>Got a free hour at lunch time on Tuesdays? Head on over to the Washington Ave. Branch and participate in the lively and engaging book talks hosted by the Friends of Albany Public Library!

The weekly book talks include reviews of timely and classic works, as well as author talks and special programs. The book talks are free and open to the public, and generally run from 12:15 to 1:30 pm every Tuesday in the large auditorium at the Washington Ave. Branch. The Friends also serve light refreshments.

The June Friends book talks are:

June 2: Author Talk by Dru Murray — About her book Peace I Speak 2 the 3 Part Me, While God is Speaking 2 All of Us, Through His Word, John 12:30

June 9: Book Review of Don’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains are Wired to Ignore Climate Change — Reviewer is David Guistina, the anchor/senior producer of WAMC’s “Morning Edition”

June 16: Book Review of Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania — Reviewer is Richard King, a retired attorney

June 23: Book Review of Lifted: A Cultural History of the Elevator — Reviewer is David Colchamiro, a retired transportation analyst

June 30: Book Review of Captain “Hell Roaring” Mike Healey: From American Slave to Arctic Hero — Reviewer is Donald Hyman, a local teacher, actor, U.S. Air Force veteran, and former member of U.S. Coast Guard

]]>http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/friends-of-apl-host-weekly-book-talks/feed/0Resources Fair for Vets and Military Familieshttp://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/resources-fair-for-vets-and-military-families/
http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/resources-fair-for-vets-and-military-families/#commentsWed, 27 May 2015 19:49:27 +0000http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/?p=928Would you like to know more about programs and services available to veterans in the Capital Region? If you’ve wondered where to go for assistance, visit APL’s Local Resources Fair for Veterans and Military Families on Friday, May 29th from 11:00 am – 2:30 pm at our Washington Avenue Branch. It’s a great opportunity to... Read more »

]]>Would you like to know more about programs and services available to veterans in the Capital Region? If you’ve wondered where to go for assistance, visit APL’s Local Resources Fair for Veterans and Military Families on Friday, May 29th from 11:00 am – 2:30 pm at our Washington Avenue Branch. It’s a great opportunity to make some solid connections with professionals in education, housing, financial management, employment, legal issues, family support, and health.

Meet the Information Providers:12:30 pm – 2:30 pm(1st Floor Auditoriums)You will be able to meet with over twenty information providers and get referrals and answers to your questions.

Special Events for Veterans and Families

Healing PTSD: 11:00 am -12:30 pm (2nd Floor Community Room)Guest Speaker Edward Tick is co-founder of Soldier’s Heart, an organization that helps veterans with the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder healing process. Soldier’s Heart believes that these “soul wounds” are sacred and, when properly tended, can lead to wisdom and transformation. Ed is the author of a new book, Warrior’s Return: Restoring the Soul after War. After his presentation, he will be available for a question & answer session.

Story Time/Youth Services Room Tour: 12:00 pm -12:30 pm (2nd Floor Youth Services Room)Preschoolers can listen to a story, and parents of kids up to age 18 can get information on APL’s family services from our innovative Youth Services team.

]]>http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/resources-fair-for-vets-and-military-families/feed/0Budget Approved by Votershttp://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/budget-approved-by-voters/
http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/budget-approved-by-voters/#commentsWed, 20 May 2015 13:18:45 +0000http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/?p=922Thank you Albany! Voters approved our 2016 budget by a total of 2,177 to 879 on May 19. “Albany Public Library provides vital resources and services to the residents of Albany. It is gratifying to know the citizens of Albany support our ongoing efforts to educate, entertain, and empower the community,” said Executive Director Scott... Read more »

]]>Thank you Albany! Voters approved our 2016 budget by a total of 2,177 to 879 on May 19.

“Albany Public Library provides vital resources and services to the residents of Albany. It is gratifying to know the citizens of Albany support our ongoing efforts to educate, entertain, and empower the community,” said Executive Director Scott Jarzombek. “The library trustees, supporters, and staff truly appreciate the ongoing support of Albany’s residents. Their continued support will allow us to maintain the buildings, services, and programs of our award-winning library system.”

The approved 2016 library operating tax levy is $6,567,373 and carries an increase of 1.6 percent. The owner of a $150,000 home in the city of Albany will pay about an extra $3.71 for the library next year. The estimated homestead rate for the 2016 library tax is $1.57 per $1,000 of assessed value. This is the first library budget increase since 2013.

Two new trustees were also elected: Elissa Kane and Michael Neppl. Both will begin five-year terms in July.

]]>http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/budget-approved-by-voters/feed/0Videos Showcase Library Trustee Candidateshttp://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/videos-showcase-library-trustee-candidates/
http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/videos-showcase-library-trustee-candidates/#commentsFri, 15 May 2015 16:29:33 +0000http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/?p=909Before you head to the polls on Tuesday, please take a little time to learn more about the three candidates running for the library’s Board of Trustees. The following videos showcase the candidates’ answers to questions posed to them at a forum on May 11. Reasons for running for library board: The library’s... Read more »

]]>Before you head to the polls on Tuesday, please take a little time to learn more about the three candidates running for the library’s Board of Trustees. The following videos showcase the candidates’ answers to questions posed to them at a forum on May 11.

]]>http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/videos-showcase-library-trustee-candidates/feed/0Programs and Activities Galore at APLhttp://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/programs-and-activities-galore-at-apl/
http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/blog/programs-and-activities-galore-at-apl/#commentsWed, 13 May 2015 16:42:37 +0000http://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/?p=893There’s never a reason to be bored if you live in a city with a great public library system! Here at APL, we host dozens of educational and entertaining programs every week — and they’re all free. Check out the library’s May & June program guide for listings and information about upcoming events. Here are... Read more »

Summer Reading Program for kids and teens kicks off with parties at every branch on June 27

Plus, we’ve got story times, book groups, computer classes, play groups, gaming nights, arts-and-crafts, chess club, and much more happening every week at our seven branches in Albany. We invite you to stop by and join us for some of these fun and engaging activities!